For many of us, this year may be more likely than a vacation abroad.
From Kent to Suffolk, we’ve rounded up the UK’s best waterfront excursions for you and someone special.
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The Boathouse in Frome, Somerset is a secluded little getaway overlooking a vast lakePhoto credit: Getty Images
The boathouse, Frome
Assistant Editor for Features, Rosie Gizauskas, and her sister Frances lived in a palace on the Orchardleigh Estate in Somerset.
THE PAD: Dating from 1856 and in the center of a rolling 500 acre estate,
The boathouse is a secluded little getaway with a hot tub and views of the huge lake.
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Assistant Editor for Features, Rosie Gizauskas, and her sister Frances lived in a palace on the Orchardleigh Estate in SomersetPhoto credit: Rosie Gizauskas
In addition to miles of walks on your doorstep, a king-size bed, a waterfall shower and a dreamy open fireplace to sit by in the evening, we loved having breakfast in the small traditional kitchen before eating outside by the water in the morning.
Besties and couples alike will love this place.
EXPLORE: Frome, a 10-minute drive away, is a quaint, quirky market town full of independent shops and restaurants.
Check out the boutiques in the medieval streets around Catherine Hill – the vintage stores Dandy Lion (Facebook.com/Thedandylionfome) and Lark Vintage (Larkvintage.co.uk) are treasuries of gems from the 60s and 70s.
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Besties and couples alike will love this placeCredit: Collect
Be sure to check out The Three Swans, one of Frome’s oldest pubs that also has a stack of board games (Thethreeswans.com).
Half an hour’s drive away is Bath and the setting for many of Bridgerton’s most famous spots, including Madame Delacroix’s seamstress shop – AKA the Abbey Deli (Jjbeanos.com) – and Lady Danbury’s residence, The Holburne Museum (Holburne.org).
Longleat Safari Park is only nine miles from where you live and is home to lions, tigers, monkeys and elephants.
Entry is from £ 36.50 per adult (Longleat.co.uk).
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Stays at The Boat House start from £ 300 a night based on two peoplePhoto credit: Getty Images
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The River House in Frome is a beautiful place for brunchPhoto credit: Facebook / River House
REFUELING: The River House in Frome is a lovely place for brunch – order the creamy scrambled eggs “Nam-Egg-Stay” with houmous and vegetables on sourdough, £ 7 (Riverhousefrome.co.uk).
For lunch, Fat Radish is a chintzy townhouse restaurant that serves delicious Rarebit baked cauliflower cheese for £ 15 with refreshing melon margaritas for £ 8 (Fatradish.co.uk).
Come for dinner and book a seat in the garden of the High Pavement. The menu features Moorish tapas, which are more appropriate.
Must-try dishes include padron peppers, leek and cecina croquettes, and homemade bread with harissa. Dishes start at £ 5 (Facebook.com/thehighpavement).
BOOK IT: Stays at The Boat House start at £ 300 a night based on two people (Orchardleigh.net).
Sands Hotel, Margate
The writer Shannon Lawlor and her boyfriend Tom took a break by the sea in Kent.
THE PAD: Located amidst Margate’s hippest seaside bars and restaurants, the Sands Hotel, with its sleek, neutral interior, is a boutique place to sleep when exploring the coast.
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The writer Shannon Lawlor and her boyfriend Tom took a break by the sea in KentPhoto credit: Shannon Lawlor
Book an ocean view room and soak in the huge soaking tub before enjoying the sunset from the rooftop bar.
Then head down the stairs to the Bay Restaurant for spectacular fresh seafood dishes like lemon thyme coley with dauphinois potatoes (£ 18) and mascarpone and shellfish risotto (£ 18).
At breakfast, expect a wide variety and fabulous vegan English.
EXPLORE: Don’t think that Margate’s hipster reputation makes everything stylish and insubstantial.
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Enjoy the sunset from the rooftop bar at the Sands HotelCredit: Collect
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For a snack for lunch, stop by the Old Kent Market and enjoy delicious street foodCredit: Collect
Prepare to visit world-class exhibitions for hours at the free Turner Contemporary gallery (Turnercontemporary.org).
Fort Road Yard is an Aladdin cave filled with vintage clothing, kitsch homewares, and antique furniture, while Old Town is lined with chic fashion boutiques.
Don’t miss Haeckels, an amazing eco-store full of beauty products, perfumes and home fragrances based on locally eaten algae and botanicals (Haeckels.co.uk).
Looking for something unique? Visit the Shell Grotto, an underground passageway covered from floor to ceiling with 4.6 million shells in a mosaic shape. Entry is £ 4.50 per adult (Shellgrotto.co.uk).
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Reserve early for seafood paradise with AngelaPhoto credit: Instagram / Angela
Book ahead for Dreamland – the revitalized 1920’s amusement park with 25+ rides and a roller disco is perfect for an afternoon of fun. Ride wristbands start at £ 8.25 (Dreamland.co.uk).
REFUELING: Reserve early for seafood paradise at Angela’s – the menu changes daily depending on the catch, but main courses are around £ 18.
Otherwise, head to sister restaurant Dory’s and fill the table with small plates – grab the giant oysters, £ 2.20 each, if you can (Angelasofmargate.com).
For a snack for lunch, stop by Old Kent Market for delicious street food from burritos to bagels, and wash it down with a local sip from one of Margate’s microbreweries.
We loved Xylo, which has an abundance of home brews for around £ 5 a pint – sip the millionaire, a salt-caramel-chocolate-flavored stout that really warms your insides (Xylobrew.com).
BOOK IT: Double rooms cost from £ 120 B&B (Sandshotelmargate.co.uk).
Salthouse Harbor Hotel, Ipswich
Lifestyle editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and her husband Andy dropped anchor in the city of Suffolk.
THE PAD: Located in Ipswich’s bustling marina, the Salthouse Harbor Hotel is a local favorite. From the chic rooms, you can spy on boats large and small while you relax in your copper roll-top bath.
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Lifestyle editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and her husband Andy dropped anchor in IpswichPhoto credit: Catherine Bennion-Pedley
The decor is modern with a nautical feel and a full breakfast in bed is actively recommended at no extra charge (thanks, Covid).
Downstairs, the Salthouse Eaterie serves decent bistro food like Fish Pie (£ 13) and Eton Mess (£ 8) – nicely rinsed off with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (£ 7.70).
EXPLORE: The Christchurch Mansion, in the middle of the green of Christchurch Park, can be visited free of charge and houses traditional works of art as well as contemporary exhibitions.
The latest show, Power Of Stories – an exhibition of three costumes from the movie Black Panther – is opening soon (Ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk).
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Located in Ipswich’s bustling marina, the Salthouse Harbor Hotel is a local favoritePhoto credit: Getty Images
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The decor at the Salthouse Harbor Hotel is modern with a nautical feelCredit: Collect
Find the perfect gifts at LoveOne on St. Peter Street, from rose quartz earrings to stylish housewares and scarves (Loveone.co.uk).
Or get active and rent bikes at nearby Alton Water, from £ 15 for two hours, to cycle around the park’s reservoir and through pretty villages (Anglianwaterparks.co.uk/alton-water).
REFUELING: For the perfect caffeine kick, peanut butter milkshakes, and hard-to-beat homemade cakes, head to Applaud Coffee and its cute garden (Applaud-coffee.co.uk).
For a no-frills but tasty Italian? Try the meat carne pizza (£ 12) with pasta alla Norma made from tomato, fried eggplant and ricotta (£ 10) in Tavernetta (Tavernettaipswich.co.uk).
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Head to Applaud Coffee for a perfect caffeine kick and homemade cakesPhoto credit: Instagram / Applaud
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Foodies should drive 10 minutes to the huge Suffolk Food Hall.
Think farm shop meets lifestyle shop meets garden center with a gelato hut selling local Harris & James creations, such as delicious Jaffa cake flavor (Suffolkfoodhall.co.uk).
BOOK IT: Double rooms cost from £ 121 B&B (Salthouseharbour.co.uk).
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